Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in University Heights

88 restaurants available nearby

1. Madison

4.5

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • University Heights

Booked 64 times today

With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends. ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ

A photo of Puesto at the Headquarters restaurant

2. Puesto at the Headquarters

4.6

Exceptional(3507)

Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 42 times today

Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos, Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, house-brewed beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Refinery 29, MSN, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, and LA Times.

3. Kettner Exchange

4.7

Exceptional(1367)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Little Italy

Booked 65 times today

Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

4. Mister A's

4.8

Exceptional(8699)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 109 times today

Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)

5. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6491)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 95 times today

A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.

A photo of Great Maple San Diego restaurant

6. Great Maple San Diego

4.8

Exceptional(4401)

Price: Moderate

• American • Hillcrest

Booked 82 times today

We Serve Dinner, Lunch, Brunch and Weekday Breakfast. We are a modern American eatery featuring seasonal fare, fresh house made pies, and local produce cocktails. We have a full bar and a social wine list. Open for Outdoor dining!

A photo of The Prado at Balboa Park restaurant

7. The Prado at Balboa Park

4.6

Exceptional(7918)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 55 times today

Located in San Diego's Balboa Park, in the Historic House of Hospitality, The Prado offers historic charm and California cuisine.

8. Wormwood

4.7

Exceptional(812)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • North Park

Booked 32 times today

Wormwood invites you to explore a bygone era when poets, writers, and painters found inspiration in the Green Fairy. Discover fine Absinthes as we share stories of its golden age and guide your palate on a unique journey.Our restaurant blends French elegance with bohemian charm, creating a cozy haven for food lovers. Each dish, from wagyu tartare to fresh oysters, celebrates local flavors and craftsmanship. Experience curated tastes of our coastal region with passion and finesse.We offer French wines and unique cocktails with a twist on classics. Every meal and drink promises adventure and cherished memories. Discover the fusion of past and present where dining is an unparalleled experience.Enjoy our three dining areas: a cozy indoor space with an open kitchen, an enchanting patio for serene outdoor dining, and the Secret Garden, a speakeasy bar with a unique cocktail menu and Green Hour. We also host private events, from dinners to weddings, ensuring every occasion is memorable.

9. Coasterra

4.6

Exceptional(7597)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Harbor Island

Booked 132 times today

Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.

10. CUCINA urbana

4.8

Exceptional(7116)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Banker's Hill

Booked 59 times today

We are a wine shop inside of a restaurant | Dining and design form the perfect union at San Diego's highly acclaimed CUCINA urbana, a California-inspired Italian kitchen and wine shop, located in the heart of Bankers Hill since 2009. The restaurant boasts comfort and familiarity, welcoming diners to a country farmhouse with the added whimsy of a contemporary art installation.CUCINA urbana is the originator of the CUCINA retail wine program where each dedicated shop allows guests to hand select wines at a retail price, either to enjoy with their meal for a minimal corkage fee or for purchase to-go. The wine list is comprised of many familiar labels as well as rare and small-batch gems, with an emphasis on Italian varietals.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

R
Robert
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The View at Mr A's is great. The food was excellent and the service was above and beyond Great experience
More info
Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown / Gaslamp
•
4.8
R
Renee
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great food and drink choices, and wonderful staff!
More info
MadisonPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• University Heights
•
4.5
K
Kathleen
Phoenix / Arizona •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 25, 2024
Simply put, one of the best meals I have had the privilege of enjoying! Delightful server, Calvin, was very in tune with the timing of our meal and our needs. The fixed menu was perfect for Christmas Eve, as it kept the meal flowing and decision-making to a minimum. Every course was delectable from the scallop crudo, the creamed mushrooms, and the sea bass, to the date cake with walnut ice cream! Mezcal hibiscus cocktail was creative and tasty, as well! I will definitely be back!
More info
Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
J
jim
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 24, 2024
The small plates are entirely original, owing more to Asian and other fusion than to Spanish tapas. The cocktails were original and enhanced the meal. Ambience was great
More info
Kettner ExchangePrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Little Italy
•
4.7
C
CatherineVIP
London •12 reviews
4.0
Dined on Dec 24, 2024
Service at the bar was terrific! The bartender, Ruben, I think was his name, was friendly and made a great mocktail and terrific drinks. We each ordered three different tacos, which were excellent, but they took a little while to arrive… perhaps that’s because we had appetizers at the bar beforehand so I guess we expected the food to arrive a little quickly. Overall, a great experience with Mexican food.
More info
Puesto at the HeadquartersPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Downtown / Gaslamp
•
4.6

Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in University Heights

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Neighbourhoods

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Award-winning

Accessibility

88 restaurants available nearby

1. Madison

2. Puesto at the Headquarters

3. Kettner Exchange

4. Mister A's

5. Herb & Wood

6. Great Maple San Diego

7. The Prado at Balboa Park

8. Wormwood

9. Coasterra

10. CUCINA urbana

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable